At Lion in the Sun, we use three distinct fabrics to make our swimwear. All these fabrics have been tested for sun protection, both by the fabric manufacturers and in independent UK laboratories. All fabrics meet the requirements to carry the UPF50+ rating. This is the highest sun protective rating awarded to fabric.

Polycotton baby UV suits and baby UV hats
For the babies' UV sunsuits and sun hats, we use a very soft polycotton with high lycra content. This fabric is breathable and gentle with the shape retention you would expect from swimwear. It is not a fast drying fabric, but we assume that a baby will be wearing a swim diaper and will need changing after coming out of the water. Because of the cotton base to this fabric, it is very comfortable to wear in the heat; for example, if a baby is sleeping in the shade.

Lycra-based UV suits , UV shirts, UV jackets and tankinis
We design our UV swimsuits, rash vests (swim shirts), etc. for children who run around and are constantly in and out of the water. This fast drying nylon/lycra fabric comes from world renowned Italian manufacturers and is designed for swimwear, and we think it is the best on the market. It retains far less moisture than a cotton garment and is light in the water. Because it dries so quickly, your children really can wear it all day no matter how many times they're in and out of the water. We have tried all sorts of fabrics on our children over the years, and we believe this matt-finished Italian fabric is the best by far, in terms of shape retention, colour fastness and sun protection.

Woven board shorts
The woven fabric (for the girls' board shorts and boys' board shorts) is 100% polyested with a UV finish. It has a tight, light weave, is fast drying and rates UPF50+.

Colors match across the range so you can mix and match your look:
- Eden print with Denim and Dafne
- Nerine print with Rose, Dafne and Magenta
- Turquoise and Verde with Blue
- Denim Tattoo print with the Denim
- Silver Hook print with Silver
- Graffiti with Red

Print designs
Our prints are custom designed for Lion in the Sun by Cornish artist Catherine Harvey Jefferson. Inspired by the Cornish coast in south west England, and by the curve of the waves and the natural balance of shells and wood, these unique designs are artworks in themselves. Catherine's oil paintings, water colors and etchings are available from her website: www.catherineharveyjefferson.com